Just 5 mins walk south from the Laguna complex is a small Reggae Bar owned by an enterprising you local named Nam. The drinks at the "Wood Bar" are cheap and cold, the service is relaxed and the atmosphere is just amazing. Nam has built his bar almost entirely from debris washed up on the shore. The bar stands out at night with it's green, red and yellow lights, and as you get closer the alluring sound of reggae music draws you in. Well worth the visit if you are looking for a break from resort life or being pestered by some of the other local bars.

Just 5 mins walk south from the Laguna complex is a small Reggae Bar owned by an enterprising you local named Nam. The drinks at the "Wood Bar" are cheap and cold, the service is relaxed and the atmosphere is just amazing. Nam has built his bar almost entirely from debris washed up on the shore. The bar stands out at night with it's green, red and yellow lights, and as you get closer the alluring sound of reggae music draws you in. Well worth the visit if you are looking for a break from resort life or being pestered by some of the other local bars.

*<drink name="Riverside Cafe" alt="" address="Extreme south end Bangtao beach" directions="Last cafe before hull to Surin" phone="" url="" hours="" price="Cheap" lat="" long="">We have been here 3 months and everybody we have met nominates Riverside as their favourite authentic Thai restaurant. Mainly outdoor, but covered and family run. A good range of typical Thai dishes from 100-150 baht. This place is definitely not ritzy but it's a must if you want good Thai food at a good price.</drink>

*<drink name="Riverside Cafe" alt="" address="Extreme south end Bangtao beach" directions="Last cafe before hull to Surin" phone="" url="" hours="" price="Cheap" lat="" long="">We have been here 3 months and everybody we have met nominates Riverside as their favourite authentic Thai restaurant. Mainly outdoor, but covered and family run. A good range of typical Thai dishes from 100-150 baht. This place is definitely not ritzy but it's a must if you want good Thai food at a good price.</drink>

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*<drink name="TOTO' Italian Restaurant" alt="" address="Laguna Resort Entrance. Lagoon Road" directions="" phone="+66 0 76 271 430" url="http://www.totophuket.com" hours="11 AM - Midnight" price="" lat="" long="">Whether you are interested in a quick lunch, a romantic dinner or just sipping on one of our famous wines while listening to the sounds of new age lounge music, you will find the ambience warm and welcoming. All ingredients are fresh from the market and the sauces, bread and desserts are prepared in the finest Italian tradition, right on the premises. Special attention has also been paid to the preparation of seafood, grilled on a specially made traditional Tuscan charcoal grill.</drink>

Revision as of 07:53, 5 April 2011

Bang Thao (อ่าวบางเทา Ao Bang Thao), also known as Bang Tao and Laguna Beach, is a beach on northwestern side of Phuket.

Contents

Understand

Bang Thao is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay's south end.

Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities are available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Cheong Thale.

Get in

Bang Thao is about 40 minutes from Phuket airport and transfers can be arranged for about 600 Baht. A metered taxi may cost about 300 Baht.

Get around

Getting around Laguna is easy and free. There are free shuttle buses between all the hotels and the shopping centre as well as a ferry service around the lagoon to most of the hotels and the shopping centre. Leaving Laguna for other places in Phuket is expensive as few Phuket taxis travel to this complex. There are chauffeured cars available but these cost 600 Baht each way to Patong or Phuket town.

Surin Beach is within walking distance if you're not in a hurry, just follow the road south of Bang Tao for about 15 minutes.

See

Do

The Laguna complex is about relaxation. All of the hotels have swimming pools with food and bar service to the pool side. There are a variety of day spa facilities at the hotels. All the hotels have private areas of the beach with lounges and towel service. Food and bar service is available on the beach but cannot be charged to your room. The beaches are not patrolled but do have roped-off swimming areas. Some of the resorts have sailing and rowing boats for use on the lagoon. Banyan Tree has a championship golf course which can be used by residents at all of the hotels in the complex - green fees can be charged to your room. Tours can be booked through the hotels for all of the standard Phuket tourist attractions.

Buy

The Laguna complex has a large number of shops but all are expensive. Much better deals can be found elsewhere in Thailand.

Eat

The Laguna complex has a large number of very good and reasonably expensive restaurants. You can charge any of the restaurants in the complex to your room irrespective of which hotel you are staying in. There are some cheaper hawker-style restaurants on the beach which must be paid for in cash.

Babylon Beach Club, Situated between the Amora Hotel and the Laguna Beach Resort, ☎+66 0 76 377 961, [2]. Babylon Beach Club has become the most popular restaurant on Bang Tao beach. Situated between the Amora Hotel and the Laguna Beach Resort Hotel, the restaurant looks straight out over the Andaman Sea allowing drinkers and diners to enjoy fantastic ocean views, magical Thai sunsets while listening to the waves gently lap against the sand and feel the cool tropical breeze wash away those winter blues.

Drink

There are a large number of bars throughout the Laguna complex but there is no nightlife to compare to Patong.

Just 5 mins walk south from the Laguna complex is a small Reggae Bar owned by an enterprising you local named Nam. The drinks at the "Wood Bar" are cheap and cold, the service is relaxed and the atmosphere is just amazing. Nam has built his bar almost entirely from debris washed up on the shore. The bar stands out at night with it's green, red and yellow lights, and as you get closer the alluring sound of reggae music draws you in. Well worth the visit if you are looking for a break from resort life or being pestered by some of the other local bars.

Riverside Cafe, Extreme south end Bangtao beach (Last cafe before hull to Surin). We have been here 3 months and everybody we have met nominates Riverside as their favourite authentic Thai restaurant. Mainly outdoor, but covered and family run. A good range of typical Thai dishes from 100-150 baht. This place is definitely not ritzy but it's a must if you want good Thai food at a good price.Cheap.

TOTO' Italian Restaurant, Laguna Resort Entrance. Lagoon Road, ☎+66 0 76 271 430, [3]. 11 AM - Midnight. Whether you are interested in a quick lunch, a romantic dinner or just sipping on one of our famous wines while listening to the sounds of new age lounge music, you will find the ambience warm and welcoming. All ingredients are fresh from the market and the sauces, bread and desserts are prepared in the finest Italian tradition, right on the premises. Special attention has also been paid to the preparation of seafood, grilled on a specially made traditional Tuscan charcoal grill.

Sleep

Beachfront Phuket, 110 Moo 3 Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand, ☎+66 76 303 200, [4]. Beachfront Phuket, is a new Boutique luxury Hotel, situated in the most scenic part of Phuket, which is known as Bangtao, near Kamala and Patong. It offers air-conditioned accommodation rooms, all of which have satellite TV, Wi-Fi internet, and en-suite bathrooms with hot shower. Some of its amenities are swimming pool, fitness gym, Castaway Restaurant, and Beach BBQ.Best rates on official website start at THB 8,546.00.

Banyan Tree The most luxurious resort in the complex and includes full spa facilities and a championship golf course.

Dusit Laguna Part of the luxury Thai hotel chain and is geared to Thai nationals.

Laguna Beach Club Aimed at the younger tourist offering more of a party atmosphere than the other hotels in Laguna (but not anything like the party atmosphere available at Patong resorts).

Sheraton Grande A luxury hotel with standard hotel rooms and two bedroom villas built over the lagoon. This hotel caters to an international market.

Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort Almost identical to the Allamanda but geared towards time-share customers.